Bucci Franklin, one of Nollywood’s foremost actors, has earned a reputation as the villain we hate to love. Over the last few years, he has played several characters who are dark, charming, and unpredictable.
A strong example is his performance as Oboz in Kemi Adetiba’s To Kill a Monkey, where he delivered a subtle but powerful performance that reflects the depth he brings to many of his roles.
Nollywood has had many great villains, but few have combined fear and fascination like Franklin. His chilling role as Oboz, followed by similar intense performances, has made him known for playing the charming yet dangerous antihero, a character audiences love to hate.
As Oboz, a street-smart, cold-eyed man with questionable morals, Franklin quickly gained a loyal following. This role has also helped shape his career. Here are some of the similar roles he played with passion and professionalism that prepared him for the remarkable performance as Oboz.
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Nzenozo in Rattlesnake: Ahanna Tale
In Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story (2020), Franklin embraced the role of Nze, a calculating criminal mastermind whose cunning was rivalled only by his unnerving calm. Nzenozo, much like Oboz, defies the mould of your typical villain; he is strategic, charismatic, and disturbingly human.
Franklin’s remarkable ability to infuse realism into such a character stands as a testament to his emotional range and captivating screen presence. He possessed a unique knack for taking charge, so much so that he could have easily been mistaken for the main character on numerous occasions.
Government in Far From Home
The 2022 Netflix series Far From Home introduced us to Government, a street-smart fixer shrouded in unpredictable motives. Bucci Franklin lends a chilling edge to the character of Government, a shady nightclub owner who also serves as a menacing cartel lieutenant. When the protagonist, Ishaya (Mike Afolarin), steals from his club, ‘Government’ swiftly asserts his control, forcing Ishaya into selling drugs at the upscale Wilmer Academy to settle his debt.
While he is not outright evil, Government navigates a precarious line between tormentor and protector, manipulating events from the shadows, much like Oboz did. With his signature low growl and haunting pauses, Franklin once again compels us to root for the wrong guy, as he also showed his good deeds.
Ade in Òlòtūré: The Journey
In Òlòtūré: The Journey, Bucci Franklin delivers a powerful performance as Ade, a ruthless enforcer within the human trafficking ring. As one of the central antagonists, Ade is portrayed as cold-blooded and unpredictable, creating a constant atmosphere of fear.
His most brutal act in the movie, was ordering the burning of a bus filled with trafficked women serves as a pivotal moment in the series. Only Oloture and Peju survive the attack, which propels the narrative into a desperate journey through dangerous territory.
Jonas in Merry Men 3: Nemesis
Bucci Franklin joined the cast of Merry Men for the third instalment, Merry Men 3: Nemesis. He played Jonas, adding a stylish, suave layer to his growing repertoire of “bad boy” roles. Jonas isn’t just dangerous—he’s dangerously charming. Think Oboz with a designer watch and a sharper suit, but the same unsettling smile.
While his appearance brings potential energy and intrigue, what sets Bucci Franklin’s portrayals apart is not merely the violence or the fear; it is the intelligence that underpins each performance. Every role is meticulously crafted, imbued with layers of vulnerability, ambition, and charisma. Be it as a street fixer, a fire-wielding madman, or a shadowy underworld boss, Franklin breathes depth into the darkness.
Agbero in Razz Guy
In The Razz Guy, a clever Nigerian comedy helmed by Udoka Oyeka, Bucci Franklin makes a memorable impression in a brief yet impactful role as Agbero, a streetwise ruffian who surprises everyone with his unexpectedly refined British accent.
Agbero emerges in the narrative of Temi, played by Lasisi Elenu, at a moment when both find themselves ensnared by a mysterious curse that disrupts their speech patterns and makes them trade their voices and personalities.
Despite his limited screen time in the particular movie, He provides a “flabbergasting performance” that enchants viewers.
Bucci Franklin has hinted that there is more to come from him in the following months and it would be interesting to see how he continues to worm his way into the hearts and minds of Nollywood fans
